Spring Ag 2016

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SPRING AG

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Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

Agriculture 2016

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SPRING AG

Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

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2016

Spring Agriculture

Published by:

St. Peter Herald 311 S. Minnesota Ave, St. Peter, MN 56082 507-931-4520 Le Sueur News - Herald 101B Bridge Street, Le Sueur, MN 56058 507-665-3332 Le Center Leader 62 East Minnesota Street, Le Center, MN 56057 stpeterherald.com • lecenter.com • lesueurnews-herald.com Regional General Manager: Chad Hjellming Cover Design: Lauren Barber | Page Layout: Nikkie Gilmore Ad Design: Lauren Barber, Mary Jo Blanchard, Nikkie Gilmore © 2016

Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

We’re Committed to

Agriculture Nicollet County Bank Ag Lending Officers Ken Rossow and Gary Miller both grew up on farms in southern Minnesota.

Ken Rossow, Senior Vice President-Ag Lending (left) & Gary Miller, Vice President

Working in the field and with livestock, they learned at an early age what farming is all about.

They continued their agricultural education through universities, classes and agricultural schools.

Nicollet County Bank is proud to have two lending officers with their educational backgrounds as well as their genuine knowledge and deep interest in farming and agricultural lending. They are active in our community and go the “extra mile” to serve our customers.

Stop by or call 931-3310 for an appointment to visit with Ken or Gary about all your farm business financial planning. They are committed to agriculture, and they are committed to you.

Like us on Facebook!

220 S. Third Street • St. Peter, MN • (507) 931-3310

www.nicolletcountybank.com

PAGE 4

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Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

Farmers seek profitable crops in 2016

By JONATHAN KNUTSON

Agweek Staff Writer

In a normal year, smallmarket crops such as peas and lentils, and obscure crops such as buckwheat and mustard, would receive scant attention from most area farmers.

This isn’t a normal year.

Poor crop prices, particularly for corn, wheat and soybeans, the region’s three major crops, have many Upper Midwest farmers searching for alternatives.

“There’s a lot of headscratching about what to plant,” says Joe Neaton, an ag producer in Watertown, Minn., about 30 miles west of Minneapolis.

Corn and soybeans dominate ag production in his area, Poor crop prices, particularly for corn, wheat and soybeans, have many Upper Midwest farmers where soil, climate and land costs are well suited for the two searching for alternatives. (Metro Creative Images)

crops. The limited alternatives include alfalfa, he says.

Producers in northwest Minnesota, the western Dakotas and eastern Montana have more options. Lighter soil, generally limited rainfall and relatively modest land costs there are conducive to other crops, including pulses such as lentils and dry peas.

But limited seed supplies and marketing opportunities curtail how many acres can be planted to such crops. Seed for some small-market crops already is hard, if not impossible, to come by, Seed supplies of peas and lentils “have been really tight,” says Emily Paul, eastern sales representative for Pulse USA, a Bismarck, N.D.-based pulse seed company. “There could still be potential (to get seed) if the stars align. We’ll take down their (farmers’) names and the

acreages they’re looking to fill. If something changes with a previous order, we’ll get in touch with them. That’s about all we can do right now.”

Paul encourages farmers to remain interested in pulses, even if seed isn’t available this year.

“Don’t rule them out for next year,” she says.

Demand for pulse crops continues to grow, and raising them in a regular rotation with other crops helps the soil, she says.

Keep in mind that few, if any, farmers will shift a lot of acres into small-market crops, even if they can get enough seed. Producers generally have a set rotation in which they rotate a handful of crops on a particular field to minimize problems with disease and insects, among other reasons.

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INTERESTED IN SMALL MARKET CROPS? Experts have these suggestions for producers considering growing a small-market or niche crop for the first time or returning to after a long absence: • Talk to people familiar with the crop. Extension specialists, agronomists or farmers who already grow it can provide important insights.

• Investigate whether your soil and climate are suitable for the crop, and whether you have the proper equipment to plant and harvest it.

• Make sure you have a firm buyer lined up. Most small-market crops are sold only through a contract.

• If you decide to plant it, limit acreage to a fraction of your farming operation. The old warning of “don’t bet the farm” applies to small-market crops.

Even so, farmers generally have some “flex” or “discretionary” acres on which they switch crops, depending on prices. By all accounts, minor crops are likely to pick up more flex acres this spring.

Frayne Olson, crops economist and marketing specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service, says farmers have been asking all winter about small-market crops.

“It keeps coming up,” he says. “There’s just so much interest.”

Part of the reason is the 2016 profit outlook for soybeans, historically a crop that shows profit potential even when other crops don’t, isn’t promising.

The NDSU Extension 2016 Projected Crop Budgets estimate that soybeans will lose money across the state.

But small-market crops are generating more attention, even in areas such as Montana, where soybeans aren’t grown.

Rob Davis, a Larslan, Mont., farmer says interest in dry peas, a crop he grows, is especially strong right now.

Impact on wheat?

Many Upper Midwest farmers are placing renewed emphasis on wheat, in part because of growing recognition the crop can enhance soil health. One of the still-to-be-answered questions is whether greater interest in small-market crops will hold down wheat acreage this spring.

Reid Christopherson, executive director of the South

Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

Strip-till vs. no-till farming

itable this year. Extension officials also stress small-market crops bring their own risks and concerns, including obtaining seed and lining up buyers.

Mark your calendars Many factors, including seed availability, changing crop prices and weather conditions, will determine what crops are planted this spring. For example, wheat is a cool-season grass that typically does best when it’s planted early. Planting delays could lead to acres being switched from wheat to other crops.

The so-called “battle for acres” is another consideration.

Enough acres must be allocated to all the crops grown in the Upper Midwest so the production of each crop will meet demand for it. If the market senses acreage for a crop might come up short, the price of that crop rises to make it more attractive to potential growers.

Farmers and others will have a better handle on planting intentions on March 31, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service releases its Prospective Plantings report.

The widely watched annual report will give USDA’s best guess on how many acres of both large- and small-market crops will be planted this spring.

Dakota Wheat Commission, says he’s noticing more interest in small-market crops, but the The debate continues for extent and seriousness of that America’s soybean and corn interest is difficult to gauge. croppers: can no-till farming “It’s all over the board,” he be efficient, or should you stick says. “With all the commodity with strip-tilling for optimal prices so depressed, it will be a output? The answer depends on matter of looking at input costs your capacity to carry a longand the projections that are out term conservation vision and there.” your short-term needs.

Limited supplies of smallmarket crops will hold down Conservation tilling intheir acres, although it’s difficult volves leaving more crop resito estimate how much, Christodue on the soil surface as a way pherson says. to reduce soil erosion, which Keeping it in perspective is caused by wind and water U.S. farmers last year plantdrainage during peak erosion ed 88 million acres of corn, 83 times. Added advantages are million acres of soybeans and fuel savings, as farmers require 55 million acres of wheat. fewer passes to turn the soil In comparison, about than with intensive tilling, and 490,000 acres were planted naless soil compaction. Purdue tionally to lentils, primarily in Reach Regional ManagUniversity Crop Residue ManMontana and North Dakota, ing Editor Suzanne Rook at agement surveys dating from putting the crop in the small- 507-931-8567. Follow her on 1997 show that reduced-tillage market or niche category. For Twitter @rooksuzy farming now has the upper every one acre of lentils planted across the country, 110 acres of wheat were planted.

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34,000 acres of buckwheat in 2012, the last year for which <Agency/Agent Name> Casey West, Carolyn Mager <Agency/Agent contact information> U.S. Department of Agricul& Warren “Buster” West TTY 711 ture figures are available.

Still, the NDSU Extension 2016 Projected Crop Budgets TTY 711 identify lentils, mustard and Authorized independent agent/agency for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus , nonprofit independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. buckwheat as potentially prof-

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hand in American agriculture. face during peak erosion season. This is accomplished by No-till farming involves tilling only rows where seeds leaving full ground cover will be sown, with the strips in and absolutely no plowing or between the seed rows left unturning of the soil. Advocates tilled. This kind of farming is tout improved water infiltra- commonly used by corn croption and a better ability of the pers, although a 2012 Purdue soil to bear plant-supporting University study showed that nutrients and non-chemical strip-tilling also boosts soydisease-suppressing organ- bean yields. The Purdue reisms. Farmers who are commit- searchers found that no-tilled ted to sustainable agriculture soil favored the development are most likely to choose this of soy root systems, whereas method. strip-tilled fields retained more water in the soil and produced Strip-till farming aims healthier, stronger plants. to leave up to 30 per cent of crop residue on the soil sur-

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Minnesota cropland values slip as grain prices fall

Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

Farmers, feedlots chafe at consumer demands for change Southern Minnesota farmer and broadcaster Jerry Groskreutz was frustrated.

Sitting on a panel discussing the public’s perception of agriculture, he said the idea that feedlots abused animals drove him crazy.

“Those animals eat better, have better nutrition, better health care, than a lot of people in this world,” he told the Farmfest gathering last week.

The overriding theme in the conversation was clear: Consumer attitudes, not farming practices, are the problem.

It’s a theme that’s been bubbling in southern Minnesota as farmers and food companies struggle to respond to rapidly changing consumer demands.

Those shifting preferences are helping produce what the Wall Street Journal recently called “seismic changes” in the food business.

Much of the consumer discontent is focused on how food ingredients are produced on the farm. There are many concerns: genetic modification, pesticides, tillage contributing to global warming, water pol-

lution from farm run-off.

Many of the giants in the food and restaurant industry have heard those concerns and are changing course after seeing sales suffer. McDonald’s buys only antibiotic-free chickens now. General Mills is pushing farmers to use more environment-friendly crop production techniques. Supervalu’s private label brand of eggs will come only from cage-free birds.

• June 29: Across Minnesota, tough times for Big Food Farmers are definitely feeling pressure. That was clear at Farmfest.

Bob Stallman, president of the nation’s largest agricultural group, the American Farm Bureau Federation, said farmers should be left alone to come up with their own solutions.

“We’re pretty darn capable of finding solutions on our own out in farm and ranch

2016

country,” said Stallman. “And we’ve proven it with respect to the environment and clean water through our conservation efforts.”

That’s a tough sell to people who worry about agricultural pollution in the Minnesota River or farmer’s opposition to Gov. Mark Dayton’s plan for buffer strips to curb runoff.

Even some farmers think agriculture is too resistant to change. Brad Trom of southern Minnesota says some farming operations are only interested in squeezing every dollar they can from the land.

“I think Big Ag is acting like a bully,” said Trom, a farmer and farm activist with the environmental group Dodge County Concerned Citizens.

“They’re trying to have their way, no matter what.”

The pressure to change could become overwhelming.

Right now livestock producers

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pen depending on weather next year and those kinds of Minnesota farmland prices factors,” he said. fell 5.5 percent during the first nine months of 2015, accordThe average price of farming to a University of Minnesota land in the state fell to about analysis. $4,600 an acre last year. The peak in the land market came Low prices for corn and in 2013 at just over $5,000 an soybeans have reduced farmer acre. profits and cut into land sales and there’s no sign of an ecoThere are wide variations nomic turnaround in agricul- across the state, with some ture, university professor and regions seeing land prices inextension economist Bill Laza- crease last year. That happened in northwest Minnesota, where rus said. values went up about 8 percent.

“Commodity markets, The sharpest decline came in there’s not a lot of light at the the west central part of the end of the tunnel yet, but you state, where land prices fell never know what might hap- nearly 13 percent.

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A panel discussion at Farmfest in Morgan, Minn., on August 5, 2015 brought together, from left to right, American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman, Minnesota congressman Collin Peterson, National Farmers Union senior vice president Chandler Goule and Minnesota congressman Tim Walz.

Mark Steil | MPR News

are subject to the most pressure, with undercover stings by animal rights groups and food businesses rejecting the practice of keeping chickens and sows in small cages.

University of Tennessee agricultural policy analyst Harwood Schaffer says consumers who don’t like how a product is made are switching to alternatives, and are often willing to pay more for that alternative.

“They’ve found that they have voice by putting pressure not directly on the farmer, but on the person that they buy the food from,” said Schaffer.

“And saying ‘I’m not going

to buy food from you if you don’t.’ They’re going to have to respond to what the consumer wants.”

There are growing signs that mainstream Minnesota corn and soybean farmers increasingly will feel a squeeze.

The giant Twin Citiesbased dairy cooperative Land O’ Lakes, along with General Mills, Walmart and others, have formed a group called Field to Market hoping to use their grain buying power to persuade farmers to raise crops in a more environment-friendly manner.

“We take this very seriously about helping the farmers re-

spond to the market needs of the future,” said Keith Newhouse with Land O’ Lakes. “We believe that sustainability and being sustainably produced in your products will be part of the future of agriculture.”

Right now, Field to Market is promoting efforts to reduce soil loss and increase water conservation. If this model spreads throughout the food industry, the day may come when farmers will have to prove their environmental stewardship before anyone will buy their corn and beans.

Consumers, said Newhouse, are demanding the change.

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Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

SW Minnesota solar farm plan feels opponents' heat By: Mark Steil Solar energy may be a vital piece of southwest Minnesota’s future, but right now Chuck Muller is more concerned about the present.

Muller’s among the most vocal critics of a massive 270-acre, $100 million solar farm being planned now near his home outside Marshall. He and other families nearby contend the project is too big, would lower property values and destroy the region’s rural character.

They’ll take another shot to stop it on Thursday when the project comes before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

So far, though, he and other opponents haven’t had much luck convincing state regulators to agree with them. An administrative law judge has recommended that the PUC issue a permit for the project.

“That’s where it gets just real discouraging and hard to deal with,” Muller said in a recent interview. “There’s got to be other sites. Somebody’s got to hear that and believe that.”

Solar energy has grown increasingly popular in Minnesota.

A state mandate calls on major utility companies to produce 1.5 percent of their power from solar sources by 2020. Right now they’ve added only a small fraction of the capacity needed to satisfy the mandate. The power from

the proposed solar farm will go to Xcel Energy, so it’s a crucial piece of the utility’s plan.

• Oct. 2009: New Ulm ‘bullying’ its way to wind energy, landowners say But the project should be stopped based on a regulation designed to safeguard farmers and Minnesota’s agrarian heritage, said Court Anderson, an attorney hired by Muller and his neighbors to present their case to the PUC. “The primary issue with my clients really is the prime farmland issue,” Anderson said.

Anderson cites a state rule restricting the amount of prime farmland that can be taken for electric power generation. The limit is one half acre per megawatt of capacity. Anderson argues that means the 62 megawatt Marshall facility should be limited to just over 30 acres, not the 270 envisioned.

“The Marshall solar project is nine times the amount allowed by law,” said Anderson.

The company building the project says Anderson is ignoring another part of the state rule. That provision nullifies the acreage restriction — if there’s no other feasible and prudent option.

“There is no prudent or feasible alternative for this project that does not also use prime farmland,” said Steve Stengel, with NextEra Energy, a subsidiary

grid.

“This project was selected from over 111 projects, because it was cost effective for customers,” Stengel said.

The state rule that both sides cite says economic considerations alone do not justify taking more prime farmland. Project opponents say there are plenty of sites

near substations around the state that are not situated on prime farmland.

Muller and other opponents say there’s a lot at stake for Minnesota farmers outside of southwest Minnesota. The Marshall decision, Muller said, will set a precedent on using farmland for future energy projects.

The planned site of a solar farm near Chuck Muller's home near Marshall, Minn. Muller and others oppose the plan.

Mark Steil | MPR News

of Florida Power & Light.

Just how the PUC interprets the “feasible and prudent” language may decide the fate of the Marshall project.

Stengel said an alternative site must be prudent economically.

Xcel chose the Marshall proposal because of lower construction costs, he argued. The current site is right next to a major transmission line and an electrical substation, so it won’t cost much to hook up the solar panels to the

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stian ilienthal All L about CHICKENS! building costly and time consuming

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Saturday, 10:00 am building costly and time raised beds?

Tuesday, Aprilconsuming 5th 6:30PM – 7:30PM you need tothknow to succeed season!

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Join us for a day of learning and leave ready to start your first be best for me? you need to know to succeed this season! flock (with CHICKS!), or to take your girls to the next level. selection and care; to the more - How do I set up my coop and run?

CHICKENS! All about What I do - How I set up my will coop andwith run?all of those eggs? Speaker Bio: Joel Karsten -isTired of tilling soil year the afterUniversity year?

Alldo about CHICKENS! a graduate from of Minnesota and received a - There are so many breeds, what will be best for me?

- What will I do with all of those to expand your garden’s square footage without - How do I set up my eggs? coop and run?

Bachelor of Science degree- Want in Horticulture Science...Teaching Community Education basics of coop and care; to the more building costly and time consuming raised beds?

- There are soFrom manythe breeds, what will beset-up, best forbreed me? selection One Hen up to 300 became an interest of Joel's when people began to inquire about how he grew vegetables - What will do Join with ofa day those eggs? complex. usall for of learning and leave ready to start From the basics ofI coop set-up, breed selection and care; eggs per yearyour first - Tried and failed at straw bale gardening in the past? in bales of straw.

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Join us for a day andgirls leave flock (with CHICKS!), orof tolearning take your to the next level.

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Straw Bale Gardening Method that he pioneered so many years ago.

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fr and leave ready to start your first speaking schedule throughout the year, and his books have become the best-selling Join level. us for a day of learning and leave ready to start your first Bachelor of Karsten Science degree in Horticulture Speaker Bio: Christian Lilienthal is a former faculty member at the UMN and South Speaker irls complex. to the next Bio: Joel is a graduate from the University of books in the gardening category world-wide since their publication." flock (with CHICKS!), or to take your girls to the next level.

Central College.

In his years as a County Extension agent he has consulted dozens Speaker Bio: Christian Lilienthal is a former faculty Minnesota member at UMN South became an the interest ofofand Joel's when people and received a Bachelor Science degree in Horticulture -See at: http://strawbalegardens.com/ of new existing poultryisproducers at all production Speaker Bio:and Christian Lilienthal a formermore faculty member atlevels. He specializes in low Science...Teaching Community Education became an interest of in bales of has straw.

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Central College.

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These classes began his adventures in the Straw Bale Gardening Method that he pion of new andproduction existing poultry producers at allatproduction levels. specializes in lowtraveling enthal is a formerSpeaker faculty member atLilienthal the UMN and South Bio: Christian is a former faculty member the UMNworld andteaching Souththe He poultry producers at all levels.

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input design and promotes your in"keeping backyard so many years ago. poultry Joel has a busy speaking schedule throughout input design and your he interest" in backyard keeping-be -See more at: http://animaltalks.weebly.com/ Central College.

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PAGE 10

SPRING AG

Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

Minnesota farmers find going organic no easy task By: Mark Steil You might call it the 36-month challenge.

That’s how long a field must be free of chemicals like synthetic fertilizers and pesticides before the crops grown there can be labeled organic. It can be a hectic time as a farmer learns to control weeds, select crops and survive three years of economics that are far worse than traditional farming.

• Is organic more nutritious? New study adds to the evidence “It’s very difficult to make profits during the transition years,” said southwest Minnesota farmer Bryan Kerkaert, who’s converted about a dozen fields to organic production in the last decade. “You’re going to be losing money.”

It’s a gamble many farmers are increasingly willing to take as they see Americans’ rapidly growing appetite for organic food changing the entire U.S. food chain, from grocery stores to farms. The Organic Trade Association counts more than

3,000 U.S. farms converting to organic production.

But not everybody makes it to that organic future. A survey of farmers who have made the switch showed that financial, not farming, challenges were the greatest difficulties encountered.

Data collected by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system show farms in transition earn only half has much as organic operations.

Why? It can take a year or two for organic weed control methods to work, so fields produce less grain than normal.

And that grain doesn’t command the high price of organic crops because grain produced during the transition phase is not yet considered organic. So the farmer has a smaller crop to sell at a price that right now is well below what it takes to produce a crop.

“I think a lot of folks have to turn away or walk away from transition because they’re just not able to make it financially,” said University of Minnesota research fellow Gigi DiGiacomo.

• June 2015: Across Minnesota, tough times for Big Food Anyone thinking about going organic should be prepared to put in some long hours mapping their way to survival, said DiGiacomo, who helped develop best practices for farmers trying to change over, a project called “Tools for Transition.”

The project offers advice, worksheets and software that farmers can use as they consider making the jump to organic. One key is building cash reserves to keep the operation going when the transitional crop is losing money. Loans, savings, and, for some, state grants are typical sources of cash.

“I think if they can do some planning, knowing what’s ahead during those three years of transition and beyond, then they can adequately prepare for that financial crunch,” she said.

For those who make it, the payoff can be huge. Organic is the fastest growing sector of the food business and production is not keeping up with demand, according to the Organic Farm-

Theresa and Bryan Kerkaert are organic farmers near Marshall in southwest Minnesota. Their main crop is blue corn, which is used to make tortilla chips.

Mark Steil | MPR News

ers’ Agency for Relationship Marketing, a Wisconsin-based organic marketing co-op.

“The organic market is projected to grow at least 14 percent a year for the next three years,” said John Bobbe, the group’s executive director.

Strong demand and short supply make for fat prices.

Kerkaert said his farm has seen the reward for the difficulties he overcame converting his fields. “It takes some intense management to do the organic, but in the end you can make a

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SPRING AG

Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

How one Minnesota chicken producer kept the bird flu out Gold’n Plump executives say they were partly just lucky their Minnesota operations were not ravaged by avian flu and that chickens, their stockin-trade, aren’t as susceptible to the virus as turkeys.

But there was more than good fortune at play last spring.

As avian flu swept across the state, St. Cloud-based Gold’n Plump managed to keep every one of its hundreds of central Minnesota chicken barns virus-free.

A deeper look shows the company survived by sweating the small, but crucial details of biosecurity — constant cleaning and constant communication with workers — even as the virus infected the barns of other producers just a few miles away.

They’re sharing their story now, hoping it offers lessons on defense should the virulent H5N2 strain returns. Poultry producers as far away as North Carolina are taking notice.

The secret to managing the virus was managing people, said Gold’n Plump Vice President Bill Lanners.

All employees were told they played a role in building an air tight biosecurity system.

The belief was that even if just one person skipped a biosecurity step — like changing footwear just once — it could doom tens of thousands of dol-

lars’ worth of birds.

“Biosecurity really is pretty simple. The key is to do it every single time,” said Lanners. “And that’s really what we got to.”

The avian flu walloped Minnesota’s turkey and chicken industries last spring with more than $600 million in losses and sent shockwaves through the entire U.S. poultry industry.

After it receded, Lanners says he got at least a call a week from people in the poultry industry across the U.S. who wanted to learn more about how they kept their birds virus free.

That system had to work at more than 300 farms raising the company’s chickens. But they kept routines simple.

It was easy to follow Gold’n Plump’s biosecurity rules, said Roy Schneider, whose family farm raises chickens for Gold’n Plump outside of Foley, Minn.

Schneider has a tremendous financial stake in his birds. He said when it came to the avian flu, he felt his family and professional reputation were at stake.

“I don’t want to be the guy that makes the mistake,” he said. “For us as a family, the bird health is the most important thing,” said Schneider.

“Without bird health there really is nothing.”

That’s a message Gold’n Plump officials say they em-

phasize every day. Although there’s no known virus in the state right now, the company continues to disinfect its trucks and plans truck routes on roads not used by other poultry producers. Workers continue to change footwear and outer clothes before entering a barn.

In North Carolina, some producers are studying Gold’n Plump’s experience. The southeast United States escaped last spring’s bird flu outbreak, but poultry producers there can’t help but wonder if they’re next.

“We’re scared to death,” said Barry Cronic, a manager with North Carolina-based House of Raeford, the nation’s eighth largest chicken producer.

An outbreak there could be even worse than Minnesota’s, since poultry barns are even more closely concentrated in that part of the country. Researchers believe barn-to-barn transmission contributed to the scale of the losses in Minnesota.

Cronic hopes Gold’n Plump offers a game plan on how the southeast can survive if the bird flu hits.

“When you got a Gold’n Plump that was right up there in the middle of the biggest outbreak we’ve ever seen, was able to protect themselves, their growers, their company,” he said, it “just tells you that, yes, you can do it.”

Kyle Peterson returns a broom to its place after sweeping some spilled chicken feed into a truck at the Gold’n Plump plant in Sauk Rapids.

Jackson Forderer | MPR News

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PAGE 12

SPRING AG

Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

With feds' blessing, Minnesota to try growing hemp Josh Helberg is ready to plant hemp — but not for the reasons you think.

A construction company owner who also owns farmland in west-central Minnesota, Helberg’s interest in the crop is purely industrial.

“I’m committed to grow on our farmland and with all the benefits and uses, it’s going to be incredible,” he said. “I’m also a general contractor and I’m excited about all the different building products that can come from industrial hemp.”

Helberg will get his chance this spring.

The state just received a permit from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for an industrial hemp pilot projKristen Wyatt | AP 2014 ect. Agriculture officials here say they’ll soon begin looking for

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The Minnesota Legislature last year ordered the state agriculture department to set up an industrial hemp pilot project.

It’s been a challenge because the federal government lists hemp as a controlled substance, an illegal drug.

The DEA permit was a “big step in the process,” said Geir Friisoe, director of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s plant protection division.

Friisoe said he’s working on a request for proposals so people can contract with the state to grow hemp test plots, although they’ll still need a permit to import hemp seeds from Canada.

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“My hope is that we will have a few acres planted in Minnesota in 2016,” Friisoe said. “I think just given some of the challenges we’ve had I think that’s a good start to getting this off the ground.”

• FAQ: Minnesota Department of Agriculture on growing hemp legally There are people waiting to grow hemp in Minnesota, but expectations remain low. Time is short to get seeds for this spring. Anyone contracting with the state to grow hemp this year will need to provide land, security and a research plan.

Growers will also have to pay for the seeds.

“This is just going to be a yield analysis year for us in the state of Minnesota,” said Ken Anderson, who runs a Wis-

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SPRING AG

Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

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consin company that develops hemp building products and another that supplies hemp seeds.

“We just need to see how the cultivars we work with perform in this growing area.”

Commercial hemp production is still illegal in the U.S. But nearly 30 states have passed some kind of industrial hemp law. According the the National Conference of State Legislatures, the count is 27, not including Minnesota.

North of the border, Canadian farmers have been growing hemp since it was legalized in 1998. Last year farmers grew more than 80,000 acres of hemp, and Canadian companies exported millions of dollars in hemp products.

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods, Canada’s largest hemp food company, processes about two-thirds of the hemp grown in Canada. Last year 125 farmers grew 55,000 acres for the company.

“We’re seeing more and more farmers, in fact this year we had more in farmers than we had contracted acres, said Kelly Saunderson, the company’s public affairs manager.

Manitoba Harvest sells millions of dollars’ worth of hemp food products every year in Canada and the U.S. Top sellers

are seed and oil, which contain high levels of healthy fats. But the market is still very small, Saunderson said.

“We actually recently did some consumer research that showed even with all the growth in the industry, here in Canada only 3 percent of consumers have tried hemp food and in the States it was only 1 percent,” she said.

Saunderson says Canadian hemp producers support legalization of the crop in the U.S. to help expand the North American market.

Law enforcement officials have raised concerns hemp fields could hide marijuana plants.

Saunderson contends that hasn’t been a problem in Canada since the cousin plants look very different and cross pollinating with hemp destroys the potency of marijuana.

The hemp industry is also closely regulated.

For example, the limit in hemp plants for THC, the chemical that causes the marijuana high, is 0.3 percent of the weight of leaves and flowers. By comparison, marijuana plants often have a THC level of 5 percent or higher.

few years. That’s why he’s spending time and money to be on the ground floor of the hemp industry.

“If you would have asked me that same question five years ago we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing. But now that a few states have come on board it’s just one after another, boom, boom, boom.”

Anderson is testing products like hemp reinforced concrete.

Helberg, who hopes to plant hemp on his acres in Stevens County, also sees its potential in reinforcing concrete and insulation and in products such as erosion control mats for landscaping. The market for those products is still developing.

Friisoe doesn’t think hemp will ever be huge, but he’s interested in seeing how much interest there is this spring.

Until federal officials remove hemp’s designation as an illegal substance, it will be difficult for the plant to get a firm foothold, he said.

Anderson, the Wisconsin Still, he said he believes it hemp business owner, believes could be a good alternative crop the federal ban on hemp pro- for Minnesota farmers. “I think duction will go away within a the potential is there.”

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Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

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CARS

TRUCKS

2015 Hyundai Sonata SE, 4D, pw, pdl, alloy wheels ............................................................................$14,975 2015 Chevy Cruz 2LT, h. leather, 2 to choose from as low as ...........................................................$13,975 2015 Chevy Sonic LTZ, h. leather, remote ............................................................................................$12,975 2015 Hyundai Elantra, pw, pdl, alloy wheels ........................................................................................$12,975 2014 Chrysler 200, convertible, 4 cyl, p. seat, pw, pdl, 35K .................................................................$15,975 2014 Chrysler 200 LMTD, 4D, moonroof, NAV, h. leather, 16K ............................................................$14,975 2014 Chevy Cruz LTZ, 4 cyl, h. leather, remote start, 30K ...................................................................$14,975 2012 Chrysler 300S awd, 5.7 Hemi, moonroof, NAV, 59K....................................................................$22,975 2011 Kia Soul Plus, 4 cyl, auto, moonroof, alloy wheels, 92K ................................................................$9,475 2008 Pontiac G6 Sedan, V6, moonroof, remote start, 72K ....................................................................$9,475 2007 Honda Accord SE, 4D, 5 spd, alloy wheels, 128K .........................................................................$7,475 2002 Chrysler Sebring LXi convertible, V6, leather, 107K ......................................................................$4,975 2002 Chrysler Sebring 4D, V6, p. seat, pw, pdl ......................................................................................$3,975

2015 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Laramie, 4X4, NAV, 15K............................................................................$37,975 2014 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Express, 4X4, 5.7 Hemi, 20K ...................................................................$25,975 2013 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Laramie, 4X4, Ram Box, NAV, 46K ..........................................................$30,975 2013 Ram 1500 Crew Big Horn, 4X4, NAV, remote start, 26K .............................................................$29,975 2013 Ram 1500 Reg Cab, 4X2, 5.7 Hemi, Tow, 41K ............................................................................$18,975 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Express 4X4, 5.7 Hemi, Tow, 60K .............................................................$23,975 2011 Chevy Silverado LT, Ext. Cab 4X4, remote start ..........................................................................$22,975 2005 Ram 3500 Quad Cab Big Horn Dually, 5.9 Cummins, diesel, 6 spd............................................$23,975 2005 Ram 1500 Reg Cab, 4X2, 4.7 V8, SLT, shortbox ...........................................................................$8,975 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew, 6.6 diesel, auto, Tow ......................................................................$16,975

Get a Case of Ketchup with every VANS Vehicle 2015 Grand Camera SXT, DVD, back-up cam, 26K .............................................................................$20,475 2015 Town & Country Touring, DVD, NAV, 3 to choose from Starting @ ...........................................$22,475 Purchase!

2014 Grand Caravan SE, Quads, rear air, 36K ....................................................................................$16,475

SUV/CROSSOVER 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4X4, moonroof, power tailgate, 19K ............................... $28,975 2015 GMC Terrain SLE, AWD, back-up cam, alloy wheels, 17K .............................................. $19,975 2015 Dodge Journey SXT, FWD, 4 cyl, 7 pass, Rear Air, 26k .................................................. $16,975 2014 Dodge Journey SXT, AWD, 2 to choose from Starting @............................................. $16,975 2012 Toyota RAV4 Limited, 4X4, moonroof, h. leather, 34K ..................................................... $20,975 2012 Honda CR-V EX-L, AWD, h. leather, DVD, moonroof, 39K .............................................. $19,975 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4X4, V6, p. seat, 80K ...................................................... $18,975 2008 Jeep Commander LMTD, 4X4, 5.7 Hemi, moonroof, NAV, 115K .................................... $14,975

For more inventory go to: www.lagersinc.com

507-931-4070 or 1-800-657-4802 Hours: Mon - Fri 8-6, Sat 8-4

Mike Chmiel

Jared Skala

Dan Wegscheid Jake Peymann Adam Cowell

PAGE 16

SPRING AG

! ! !

G O TD

IT’S

We’ve fallen behind in our sales objective and now we’re playing “ketchup”!

p u h c Ket

! e l Sa

2016 CHRYSLER 300 LIMITED

8.4” touchscreen

#11547

#11745

MSRP: $27,360 • Lagers Sale Price: $24,996 Rebate: $2000 •Chrysler Capital: $500† Trade Assistance: $2,500° KETCHUP SALE PRICE

19,996

$

2016 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT

4x4, 2.4 4 cyl., 9 speed auto, sport appearance pkg, back up camera

MSRP: $27,015 • Lagers Sale Price: $25,991 Rebate: $1,000 • Bonus Cash: $1,000 Finance Cash: $1,000* KETCHUP SALE PRICE

22,991

$

2016 RAM 2500 CREW CAB

Laramie 4x4, 6.4 Hemi, auto, heated leather, back up camera, Alpine sound, remote start, NAV #11733

2016 JEEP PATRIOT SPORT

4x4, 2.4 4 cyl., AC, PW, PDL, keyless entry, sunscreen glass

MSRP: $25,560 • Lagers Sale Price: $23,985 Rebate: $1,500 • Bonus Cash: $500 Chrysler Capital: $500† Down Payment Match: $500∆ KETCHUP SALE PRICE

47,938

$

20,985

$

2016 RAM 3500 SLT REG CAB

4x4, 6.4 Hemi, auto, 8.4” touch screen, remote start, back up camera, snow plow prep

MSRP: $45,595 • Lagers Sale Price: $41,488 Rebate: $2,500 • Bonus Cash: $1,000 Finance Cash: $1,000* KETCHUP SALE PRICE

2016 DODGE DART SE

2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN SE 2016 TOWN & COUNTRY TOURING

SE Rallye pkg., 4 cyl., auto, alloy wheels

V6, 7 passenger, AC, power windows, power door locks

MSRP: $20,330 • Lagers Sale Price: $20,224 Rebate: $1,250 • Bonus Cash: $1,500 Finance Cash: $500* KETCHUP SALE PRICE

16,974

$

2016 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA

4D, 4x4, heated leather, auto, hard top, remote start, Alpine premium sound, tow pkg

36,988

$

KETCHUP SALE PRICE

#11568

MSRP: $22,790 • Lagers Sale Price: $21,873 Rebate: $1,500 • Bonus Cash: $1,000 Chrysler Capital: $500†

MSRP: $34,610 • Lagers Sale Price: $32,471 Rebate: $2,000 • Bonus Cash: $1,000 Chrysler Capital: $500†

$

18,873

2016 RAM 1500 QUAD CAB

4x4, 5.7 Hemi, Express pkg., back up camera, tow pkg., 32 gallon tank, wheel to wheel side steps, satellite radio #11546

36,956

$

KETCHUP SALE PRICE

KETCHUP SALE PRICE

$

28,971

2016 RAM 1500 CREW CAB SLT 4x4, 5.7 Hemi, Big Horn pkg., 8.4” touchscreen, tow pkg, trailer brake control, back up camera, power seat #11644

MSRP: $41,065 • Lagers Sale Price: $37,469 Rebate: $1,000 • Bonus Cash: $1,000 Chrysler Capital: $500†

MSRP: $41,205 • Lagers Sale Price: $37,956 Finance Cash: $1,000*

Heated leather, remote start, DVD, power liftgate & side doors, tow pkg

#11169

KETCHUP SALE PRICE

#11690

#11681

MSRP: $56,700 • Lagers Sale Price: $51,983 Rebate: $2,500 • Bonus Cash: $1,500 Finance Cash: $1,000* KETCHUP SALE PRICE

28,982

$

#11641

#11650

At these prices we’ll ketchup fast! Buy now and get a FREE case of ketchup with every vehicle purchase! Over 400 cars, trucks, and vans to choose from at Mankato and St. Peter locations!

#11560

MSRP: $35,510 • Lagers Sale Price: $34,482 Rebate: $1,500 • Auto Show Bonus: $2,000 V6 Bonus: $1,000 • Finance Cash: $1,000* KETCHUP SALE PRICE

Wednesday, March 16, Thursday, March 17, 2016

34,969

$

MSRP: $47,220 • Lagers Sale Price: $42,451 Rebate: $1,500 • Bonus Cash: $2,000 Chrysler Capital: $500† • Auto Show Bonus: $1,500 KETCHUP SALE PRICE

$

36,951

HUGE SAVINGS ON ALL REMAINING 2015s!

MAKE & MODEL

CHRYSLER 200C CHRYSLER 200S AWD CHRYSLER 200 LIMITED (2) DODGE CHALLENGER SXT DODGE DURANGO SXT AWD JEEP CHEROKEE TRAILHAWK JEEP CHEROKEE TRAILHAWK JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED (3) JEEP RENEGADE LATITUDE

MSRP

$32,200 $35,075 $26,840 $32,665 $39,075 $40,149 $40,339 $42,100 $25,690

DISCOUNT

$8,215 $9,087 $7,854 $6,680 $5,256 $8,152 $7,865 $5,113 $3,691

KETCHUP SALE PRICE

‡ Includes all rebates, incentives and finance cash.

$23,985‡ $25,988‡ $18,986‡ $25,985‡ $33,819‡ $31,997‡ $32,474‡ $36,987‡ $21,999‡

*Must finance thru Lagers, Inc. to qualify WAC. See dealer for details. †Must finance thru Chrysler Capital to qualify. WAC. See dealer for details. °Must trade in a motor vehicle to qualify. See dealer for details. ∆Includes down payment match. Down payment match must be cash down or trade equity. Match will be made up to $500. See dealer for details.

Lager’s

Jeep

St. Peter

507-931-4070 • 800-657-4802 HOURS: Mon - Fri 8-6 | Sat 8-4

Mike Chmiel

Dan Wegscheid

Adam Cowell

Jared Skala

Jake Peymann

®